By Sam Conner
The Winslow Lady Bulldogs softball team stayed unbeaten with wins last week over the Coconino Lady Panthers, 10-9, and the Blue Ridge Lady Yellowjackets, 19-8. Those were their 16th and 17th victories of the season.
Taylor Baca got the win against Coconino on Friday in Flagstaff. She worked three innings on the mound, giving up two runs, only one earned, on four hits. Richelyn Villanueva finished the game in relief and gave up seven runs, six of which were earned, on 10 hits and a walk.
Winslow took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning and was up 6-4 after three innings. The Panthers went ahead 7-6 in the fifth inning, but the Bulldogs tied it in the top of the sixth, then fell behind 9-7 in the bottom of that frame. The Bulldogs tied the game 9-9 in the top of the seventh and scored the winning run in the top of the eighth.
Halle Hayes was 3 for 4 with a double to lead Winslow at the plate. Baca, Villanueva and Hailee Branson were all 2 for 5, with Branson and Baca having doubles. Liz Lozano, Renee Bollin and Megan Lymer were 1 for 5.
Baca also got the win over Blue Ridge Tuesday at home, working 41/3 innings and giving up eight runs, only three earned, on seven hits and three walks. Villanueva retired the only two batters she faced in relief.
Winslow had a 17-2 lead until Blue Ridge scored six times in the top of the fifth to avoid a mercy rule ending of the game, but allowed the Bulldogs to score twice in the bottom of that frame to put the mercy rule back into effect and end the contest.
Sierra Wilcox was 1 for 1 at the plate. Bollin and Jaleisa Hayes were both 2 for 3 with a double. Villanueva was 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles. Lozano and Katonya Begay were 1 for 3, with Lozano having a double. Alyssa Smith and Baca were 1 for 4. Halle Hayes and Lymer were 1 for 5.
Winslow was to play the Mingus Lady Marauders on Tuesday in Cottonwood, and will host the Round Valley Lady Elks on Thursday, April 3. The Bulldogs will go back to Payson, where they had an exciting and memorable tournament, to meet the Lady Longhorns on Tuesday, April 8.